Definition: Services for collective consumption

European System of Accounts (ESA)

Collective services are provided simultaneously to all members of the community or all members of a particular section of the community, such as all households living in a particular region. Collective services have the following characteristics: 

a) they can be delivered simultaneously to every member of the community or to particular sections of the community, such as those in a particular region or locality; 
b) the use of such services is usually passive and does not require the explicit agreement or active participation of all the individuals concerned; 
c) the provision of a collective service to one individual does not reduce the amount available to other in the same community or section of the community (ESA 2010, ESA 1995).